Slowing down on purpose

**cab54** · 02-19-2010, 04:57 PM

What do you do to slow down and be in the moment with life?

I have found that even doing things like washing dishes----washing them

slowly, smelling the soap bubbles (orange for me), feeling the warm water (nice in the winter), stacking them in the drainer-----and while looking out the window at the snow and birds, and taking my time at the whole thing.

That's something I never used to do--enjoy the PROCESS.

I always thought of work (esp. housework) as such a drag! Now I slow down, enjoy the process, and take a little more time to inspect and admire my clean--whatever it is---even the toilet, LOL.

Also---I make sure to sit down and do nothing

for a little while each day. Even if it's 15 minutes. Take a deep breath, check out of my 'world', and think of something else...or nothing.

It's amazing how this simplifies my life, by making me take notice and be grateful. The gratitude makes me realize that it really IS the little things that make life worth living. When I do that, I can toss out all other silly thoughts and worries that don't matter.

How about you?

**Sassyclass** · 02-19-2010, 08:48 PM

Ok, I'll try this again since my first post wouldn't take which seems to be happening quite a bit lately. I find that I do a lot of complaining about how much housework I have to do sometimes, and then once I get started I find it very therapuetic and enjoy doing chores. Even just cleaning off the dining table or dusting(which I hate btw) makes me see things in a different way. I think my favorite slowing down thing to do though is sitting on our back deck and watching the birds. Nature has a way of showcasing Gods simple blessings that we seem to overlook much too often.

Cat

**Debbie-cat** · 02-19-2010, 08:51 PM

I do the same cab. I am now mindful of my housework and enjoy it so much more. I love hanging clothes on the line....it is my favorite.

When I sit down with my cup of tea in the afternoon, I reflect on what I have already accomplished and what I still do want to finish before the day is done. I find that now since I am more mindful of what I do each day...I love it!

**frugalfranny** · 02-20-2010, 12:39 AM

I usually take a few moments twice a day - once in the morning with coffee and NO TV........to contemplate the day ahead.

Then sometime in the PM I will 'usually' (not always) sit for a few.

If things get real rough I just collapse on the LR floor - usually with a blanket covering me - and my dogs attack me with kisses and want to play, since I am at their level, and get me to laughing..........dog kisses can melt away ANYTHING!!

**mauimagic** · 02-20-2010, 01:24 AM

mahalo FF - can just picture your puppies attacking you!!

**hotprincesscm** · 02-20-2010, 08:25 AM

Maybe I need to be more like that! I absolutely hate housework! All of it! Maybe I just need to take time to appreciate how everything looks after completely the chores. Clean and ready for my babies to play in a nice clean house!

**cab54** · 02-20-2010, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by hotprincesscm

Maybe I need to be more like that! I absolutely hate housework! All of it! Maybe I just need to take time to appreciate how everything looks after completely the chores. Clean and ready for my babies to play in a nice clean house!

It's hard to clean and have babies. SOOO many interruptions! Take it in (sorry for the pun) 'baby steps' with housework while you have little ones. We always want to have the whole house cleaned at once, and that's just not possible, is it?

Sigh. My biggest upset while I had little ones, was that while I was cleaning one room, someone was always messing up another part of the house! Argh! It never seemed to 'all' be done.

I had to learn to slow down and not try to do it all at once. Even if I only cleaned a corner, or a drawer, I needed to sit back and look at it and be proud of the accomplishment. Good luck! HUGS!

**Sassyclass** · 02-20-2010, 09:25 AM

You know I think we tend to forget it's not the quantity but the quality that counts. As I get older I'm learning this more and more.

Cat

**nuisance26** · 02-20-2010, 09:26 AM

~I really need to make time for slowing down everyday. I was pretty good at it before the kids came along but they always seem to need me for something that's it's hard to break my mind away from that.
I do indulge occasionally though. My faves are sitting under a tree and looking up at the leaves and sky, lying on the beach/sitting in the surf, and candlelit bubble baths. These make my mind go blank and my spirit feel full to bursting. It's really amazing.~

**mauimagic** · 02-20-2010, 11:27 AM

I have gotten back to meditating once or twice a day - feels so good. Another time that helps me slow my life down is driving - because we live on an island where the roads follow the shore line, the ocean is usually in view - and that is an instant calmer for me.

**Natalie's Nesters** · 02-20-2010, 12:41 PM

During warm weather, I love to sit on my back porch and look out over the valley. Deb Cat, I'm with you on hanging out the laundry, it's so calming! I enjoy watching my chickens scratch around the yard. It's the simple things that make life great!